By Bill Kaufmann
Toronto Sun
Copyright 2008 Toronto Sun
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Bringing aid to Afghan villagers has cost a Calgary paramedic his life in that war-torn country.
Cpl. Michael Starker, a full-time paramedic serving with the Edmonton-based 15th Field Ambulance Regiment, was killed yesterday by small arms fire when his patrol was ambushed by Taliban guerrillas in the Pashmul region of Zhari district, about 25 km west of Kandahar.
A second, unidentified soldier was wounded. He is reported to be in stable condition.
The patrol was a civilian-military team gauging the development needs of impoverished Afghans in the much fought-over area, Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche said.
“We have lost a fine soldier today and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” Laroche told reporters at nearby Kandahar Airfield.
“He died helping Afghans build a better future for themselves and their children. His dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten,” the general said.
Reservist Starker is the 83rd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.
‘HE WAS THE BEST’
Starker became a Calgary paramedic in 2005, quickly earning the respect of his colleagues, said a saddened EMS chief Tom Sampson.
“They said he was the best they’d worked with,” he said.
“There’s no doubt this is a significant loss to EMS, the city of Calgary and the entire community -- our thoughts and our prayers are with his family and his friends.”
He’d also served with Cochrane EMS.
Starker, who was married with no children, was on his second tour of Afghanistan, which began in December.
Small-arms fire deaths among Canadians have been rare in Afghanistan, with the last one occurring in October 2006, in the same area where Starker was killed.
Most casualties are caused by roadside bombs.
In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Starker’s service and that of his wounded colleague set an example of determination to help the oppressed.
“They are working to bring security and democracy to the people of Afghanistan, while also protecting and promoting Canadian values.”
Select soldiers, usually reservists, try to build bridges between an army that sometimes has trouble comprehending the needs of villages and local Afghans, who are suspicious of all soldiers after three decades of conflict.
HARSH TOLL
“The aim of the patrol was to show their presence, interact with the local population and discuss the development needs of the community,” Laroche said.
The war has taken a harsh toll on these specialists, who travel from village to village talking to elders and bringing their concerns back to commanders.
Lieut. Bill Turner, a reservist and mailman from Edmonton, was killed in a roadside bomb attack in April 2006. One month before that, Capt. Trevor Greene was severely injured in an axe attack during a community meeting.
The arid farming country west of Kandahar has been a hotly contested region since Canadian troops deployed in Kandahar more than two years ago. On more than one occasion, commanders have declared the area pacified, only to have insurgents sneak back to plant bombs.
The fact the soldiers could walk through the area and interact with the locals was a hopeful sign, Laroche said.
“The intent was to exchange with the population -- something we could not do last year,” he said. “We will maintain our presence there as long as we need to do so.”